I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

Amidst the villagers' chorus of thanks, Xiao Chen simply waved his hand.

He flashed a perfectly timed humble smile, as if he weren't the cunning strategist who had just decided a child's "tragic" fate for over a decade with a single sentence.

He remained calm and composed, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.

The group turned and left Aunt Li's house, slowly walking back along the bumpy dirt road in the village.

The afternoon sun filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, accompanied by the chirping of cicadas.

It added a touch of bustling vitality to this tranquil mountain village.

Liu Yifei lagged a few steps behind and walked to Xiao Chen's side. Her pretty face still had a faint blush, probably from laughing too hard just now.

She spoke softly, her voice barely audible, yet filled with utmost sincerity.

"Xiao Chen, thank you for today."

Liu Yifei knew that if Xiao Chen hadn't used his humor to defuse the awkward situation with such ease, things could have become very troublesome.

As a public figure, when faced with a bratty child, you can't hit him, you can't scold him, and he won't understand reasoning with you.

Any mishandling could be magnified by the camera and interpreted by online public opinion as "acting like a big shot" or "bullying the villagers".

At that point, you won't be able to explain yourself even if you're in the right.

Xiao Chen turned his head to the side, and the sunlight fell perfectly on his profile, casting a small shadow on his long eyelashes.

A slight smile played on his lips, and his eyes, which seemed to hold the stars and the sea, curved into a smile.

"It's no big deal."

His voice was clear and reassuring, carrying a sense of ease.

These four simple words are more effective at soothing the wrinkles in one's heart than any lengthy words of comfort.

Liu Yifei looked at him and felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly lowered her head to hide her slightly flushed cheeks.

This man is always like this.

Do the most beautiful things in the simplest way, and say the most reassuring words.

Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung, who were walking ahead, exchanged a smile. They had spent half their lives struggling in the world of fame and fortune, so how could they not understand the key to this?

Xiao Chen's handling of the situation was impeccable.

It protected Liu Yifei, avoided embarrassing the villagers, and also created top-notch comedic effect for the show.

This impeccable emotional intelligence and quick wit are nothing like those of a young person in their early twenties.

Anita Mui suggested.

"To be honest, we've been in this village for several days, but we haven't had a proper chance to explore it yet."

Indeed, after filming the show for so long, everyone's activities have basically been confined to the Mushroom House.

Between the small square at the village entrance and that tiny school.

Otherwise, they just plant trees and never really explore the village properly.

Hearing Mei Yanfang say this, everyone was eager to try it out.

Seeing the expectant expressions on everyone's faces, Xiao Chen nodded.

"Let's take a walk then."

So the group deviated from the route back to the Mushroom House and began to wander around the village.

This village is far more real and more...impoverished than what they saw on camera.

There were no smooth cement roads, only dirt roads that had been pounded and uneven by oxcarts and tractors.

There are no pretty two-story buildings; most are houses made of blue bricks and tiles.

Some walls still bear slogans from decades ago, their red paint faded and the writing blurred.

The air was thick with the mixed smell of earth, firewood, and poultry droppings—not exactly pleasant.

Yet it is full of the breath of life.

Strangely, the villagers living here do not show much sorrow or distress from poverty on their faces.

They sat in twos and threes on the thresholds of their own doors, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans and chatting.

Seeing Xiao Chen and his group of "big stars from the city," they only cast curious and simple glances at them, gave them a good-natured smile, and did not bother them excessively.

A little girl with a high ponytail, a brightly colored lollipop in her mouth, is squatting on the ground drawing with a twig.

Seeing Dilraba approach, she shyly buried her face in her grandmother's arms, but couldn't help peeking at her through her fingers.

Dilraba was amused by her cute appearance and took out a chocolate from her pocket and handed it to her.

The little girl was too timid to accept it until her grandmother smiled and encouraged her, at which point she cautiously reached out her little hand.

He spoke in a soft voice.

"Thank you, beautiful lady."

This scene warmed everyone's hearts.

Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung were particularly moved by this.

They were used to the prosperity and hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, and to the ups and downs and hypocrisy of the world of fame and fortune.

Standing on this peaceful and simple land, looking at the villagers' heartfelt and contented smiles, I was filled with mixed emotions.

Anita Mui sighed softly.

"Sometimes I feel that the things we strive for our whole lives are things we risk our lives to pursue."

"It might not be as real as the happiness they have now."

Leslie Cheung patted her shoulder, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

Xiao Chen walked quietly to the side without saying a word.

In his past life, he had worked on countless film sets and visited places far more remote and impoverished than this.

The scene before him was not unfamiliar to him.

He understood better than anyone how much untold hardship and helplessness lay hidden behind this seemingly idyllic pastoral life.

But he didn't say it out loud.

Some beautiful filters don't need to be exposed by your own hands.

After wandering around for nearly an hour, everyone returned to the Mushroom House, their enthusiasm waning.

Inside the mushroom house, the staff had already prepared chilled watermelon and herbal tea.

After the incident with Er Gouzi, the production team accumulated a considerable amount of material, and the director was quite happy.

All of these are considered a friendly gift from the production team and do not need to be redeemed.

Leslie Cheung was joking.

"This time, the production team actually showed some conscience."

The director smiled awkwardly upon hearing Leslie Cheung's words.

After the show aired, he became known as the stingiest director in the variety show industry.

Viewers love watching his wits and battles of wits with the guests; this variety show format has unexpectedly become a hit.

The group slumped under the shade of the pavilion in the courtyard, enjoying the breeze, which finally dispelled some of the summer heat.

Xiao Chen suddenly said to the program director next to him.

"Director, could I use your phone for a moment?"

According to the program's rules, guests are not allowed to use personal electronic devices during filming.

But since Xiao Chen asked, the director naturally wouldn't refuse.

First, this guy is the soul of the show and its biggest investor. Let alone using a cell phone, even if he wanted the stars in the sky, they would find a way to build a ladder for him.

Secondly, although Xiao Chen would sometimes play pranks on purpose, he had never asked for electronic devices on his own initiative.

The fact that he's asking the production team for electronic devices right now means he must have something urgent to do.

The production team didn't dare to delay Xiao Chen's urgent matter. If Xiao Chen missed something important, the production team couldn't bear the responsibility.

The director immediately and respectfully handed Xiao Chen's phone over.

Sha Yi curiously leaned closer.